Test your design IQ
MANILA, Philippines - Who is the Greek-American chef who coined the word "Hellasian" to refer to the fusion of Greek and Asian cooking, and who is a co-founder of Chefs for Humanity?
She was born on April 3, 1967 in a Greek community in Jackson, Mississippi. She comes from a family of restaurateurs, made the extraordinary move at the age of 15 to bring a business plan to her father and grandfather knowing they would both help her. And they did.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi, she enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in New York.
Inspired by Julia Child, Barbara Tropp, MFK Fisher, and her grandmother Alma, her cuisine became a blend of her Greek and Southern roots like her favorite dish — kota kapama (Greek chicken with tomato and oil sauce), garlic couscous, and slow-cooked lamb shanks with feta salsa verde.
She is known for having coined the term "Hellasian," referring to a fusion cuisine combining Greek and Asian cooking.
She has appeared extensively in television as co-host of the Food Network show Kitchen Accomplished, and became the only female Iron Chef in its franchise history. At the end of every Iron Chef America competition, she would share a shot of ouzo with her team. She is also developing a show devoted to food and wine, which she will produce.
In January 2005, she co-founded Chefs for Humanity, which describes itself as “a grassroots coalition of chefs and culinary professionals guided by a mission to quickly be able to raise funds and provide resources for important emergency and humanitarian aid, nutritional education, and hunger-related initiatives throughout the world.” She has also participated in charity wine auctions held by Auction Napa Valley, and in 2006 became a paid spokesperson for InSinkErator Evolution series for proper garbage disposal. She is also a UNICEF spokesperson and was awarded the Hero Visibility Award by the Human Rights campaign.
As executive chef for Bon Appetit magazine, she has also dabbled in publishing, with books like Favorite Meals for Family and Friends and Cooking from the Hip: Fast, Easy, and Phenomenal Meals.
She belongs to Macy’s Culinary Council, and it was announced just this spring that she will be partnering with Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in a new restaurant venture Kouzzima, which is set to open this fall in Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.
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Last week’s question: What is the French term that refers to a recurring theme in European artistic styles reflecting Chinese artistic influences?
Answer: Chinoiserie
Winner: Ann Margret D. Libatique of Antipolo City, Rizal
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Text your answer to 0905-3142614 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1950, 634-1943. Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.
